Chapter 1483

Six hundred fifty-seven 【Soldiers Come, Block Them】 (Part 2)

Xia Zhangming looked around at the watchtowers and said: "Our residence is entirely under their surveillance; once they decide to attack us, launching an assault from the watchtowers, using bows and arrows can blockade the entire Butterfly Garden."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "The more one thinks everything is under their control, the easier it is to become complacent; everything has two sides, where there is advantage there is disadvantage."

At this moment, Liang Yinghao came before the two and respectfully said: "My lord, everything has been arranged."

Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Let's talk inside!" He also had Xia Zhangming invite Qiao Fangzheng, Zhan Peng, and Long Xi Yue inside.

After everyone gathered, Hu Xiaotian told them that the watchtowers had begun mobilizing troops.

Long Xi Yue frowned slightly and said: "Could it be that Ga Nuo leaked the matter of Little Ou?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Perhaps unintentionally; she just wants to be with her daughter too much and doesn't understand Baheer's wolfish nature."

Qiao Fangzheng said: "Could it be they intend to attack us?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I cannot rule out that possibility; Ba Ge died suspiciously back then, and I have gathered some information: Baheer was once lovers with Ga Nuo, but later Ga Nuo married Ba Ge, and the hatred of losing his wife gave him ample motive to kill this fellow clansman."

Qiao Fangzheng said: "If he dares to move against us, I will take his dog's life."

Long Xi Yue said: "They are too many; after all, this is Huoshao City, we only have fifteen people total, we cannot contend with so many; better we first leave here, let them mistakenly think we have left, then launch a surprise counterattack."

Several people nodded in agreement; Long Xi Yue's idea was very reasonable, avoiding their sharp edge. Trying not to clash head‑on, although we have a few experts on our side, the numbers are vastly unequal; everyone's gaze gathered on Hu Xiaotian, and the final decision rests with him.

Hu Xiaotian said: "What is our purpose in coming to Huoshao City this time?"

Liang Yinghao said: "Naturally, to seize control of Huoshao City and take back Red Wood River."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said: "Temporarily avoiding their sharp edge may be wise, but you can dodge for a moment, not forever; sooner or later we must face the challenge. Moreover, if we leave and let their scheme succeed, once the Spirit Maiden is chosen, turning the tables will be nearly impossible." He paused and added: "We only have fifteen people—on what basis can we control Huoshao City and reclaim Red Wood River? The Red Barbarians number hundreds of thousands; the only way to win them over is..." His gaze turned to Long Xi Yue.

Although Hu Xiaotian did not speak the next words, Long Xi Yue already understood what he meant. The only way is Little Ou; once her Spirit Maiden status is established, they can control the entire Red Barbarian tribe through her, and if the Red Barbarians submit, the whole Red Wood River can be pacified without losing a single soldier.

Qiao Fangzheng said: "What you say makes sense, but how can we get them to acknowledge Little Ou's Spirit Maiden status?" He voiced everyone's shared thought.

Zhan Peng said: "To have them accept the Spirit Maiden's identity, the High Priest must step forward; if the city lord's wife, Ga Nuo, also confirms that Little Ou is the missing daughter, then the matter will naturally be beyond doubt."

Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded: "Zhan Peng hit the nail on the head. Although Baheer has gathered many Red Barbarian warriors, he is not the true spiritual leader of the Red Barbarians. As long as the Spirit Maiden stands with us, everything will be readily resolved."

Qiao Fangzheng couldn't help but pour cold water: "Unfortunately, the High Priest is not on your side."

Liang Yinghao said: "Judging by their posture, they will launch an attack on us before long."

Hu Xiaotian said: "So we must strike first to gain the upper hand, hitting them with a surprise attack."

Everyone did not understand what he meant by "strike first to gain the upper hand"; given their current numbers, they feared it would be insufficient to support launching a war.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I plan to invite the High Priest Tongyun here; as long as she is in the Butterfly Garden, I believe Baheer would not dare attack us no matter how bold he is."

Long Xi Yue said anxiously: "There are nearly a hundred thousand Red Barbarians around the temple; aren't you afraid the plan will be exposed?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "What's a million? With the High Priest in my hands, those believers will not dare act rashly; if they dare to pursue, they will merely become witnesses." He told Qiao Fangzheng: "Senior Qiao will hold the Butterfly Garden; Zhan Peng and Liang Yinghao will lead the others in assistance; I and Zhangming will go to the temple to bring back High Priest Tongyun."

Xia Zhangming nodded and said: "If the lord orders me to go, I will follow!" Although he knew the trip would entail great risk, since Hu Xiaotian proposed it, for him it was a matter of unavoidable duty.

Hu Xiaotian laughed heartily, patted his shoulder, and said: "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get a tiger's cub?"

Before Hu Xiaotian and Xia Zhangming set out, Long Xi Yue came to the door, grabbed Hu Xiaotian's big hand and refused to let go; Hu Xiaotian smiled and comforted her: "Don't worry, I will surely succeed this time; I have an insider inside the temple."

Long Xi Yue doubted: "You've never been here before, how could you have an insider?" Hu Xiaotian did not tell her about Yan Nujiao, smiled and said: "After this is settled, I will introduce you to each other."

Long Xi Yue's beautiful eyes shifted, she bit her cherry lip and said: "Could it be that you also have something with a certain priest inside?" She originally wanted to say "old lover," but felt it improper at the brink of speaking and swallowed it back.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, released her hand, and left with Xia Zhangming; after walking a distance, Xia Zhangming whispered to Hu Xiaotian: "My lord, someone is following us?"

Hu Xiaotian sent a mental transmission: "Detected, no need to look back." He saw a small alley at the turn ahead, quickly entered it; the two of them, upon entering the alley, supported themselves on the walls and climbed up; shortly after, they saw two men dressed in Red Barbarian attire sneaking into the alley.

Those two, seeing their quarry disappear ahead, thought they had lost it, instinctively scratched the back of their heads, then heard a whistle from above; both looked up to see two figures descend like heavenly soldiers, Hu Xiaotian and Xia Zhangming struck simultaneously, knocking the two followers unconscious, dragged them to a deserted spot, swiftly stripped their outer clothes and put them on.

Having changed into Red Barbarian garb, the two swaggered toward the temple; the best concealment is to blend into the sea of the populace, and since it is fasting day, the Red Barbarians all wear their most solemn ethnic attire, making them look nearly identical, so spotting any difference is hard.

Along the way, Hu Xiaotian explained his detailed plan to Xia Zhangming: he would infiltrate the temple and seize the High Priest; once she was under control, Xia Zhangming would provide backup, aiming to break out of the encirclement of Red Barbarian believers—on foot it would be impossible, so they must rely on aerial flight, which hinges on Xia Zhangming's beast‑riding technique.

Xia Zhangming said: "No problem; at that time I will summon a flock of birds and use them to carry us out of the encirclement."

Hu Xiaotian had visited the temple once before, so this time he was already familiar with the route; he brought Xia Zhangming to the forest outside the temple, had him wait there, then silently scaled the wall and entered, following the previous path to the courtyard where Yan Nujiao lived; before he could approach, he saw Yan Nujiao and a black‑clad veiled old woman emerge together; Hu Xiaotian hastily concealed himself, then heard the old woman say: "Little Jiao, Master sees that your spirit is unsettled—what is the cause?"

Yan Nujiao said: "Nothing is wrong; Master must be mistaken."

Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat; from their exchange he could tell the old woman was surely Yan Nujiao's master, the senior figure of the Wuxian Sect, Shadow Granny—wasn't it said she wouldn't come this time? Why did she appear personally? This might become troublesome; originally he had hoped Yan Nujiao would lend him a hand, but now that Shadow Granny has come, he has no chance to approach her.

Shadow Granny said: "Little Jiao, your internal strength has increased a lot lately; have you had some fortunate encounter?"

Yan Nujiao, feeling a bit startled by the question, could not speak the truth, and whispered: "Perhaps it is because my comprehension has improved recently."

Hu Xiaotian secretly laughed: "This little girl has wiped out all my credit; it's not due to my Sun‑Shooting True Classic."

Fortunately Shadow Granny did not press further, and said softly: "Let's go; today at noon your senior sister will publicly assume the Spirit Maiden position, unexpected events may occur, we will guard her."

Watching the master and disciple depart, Hu Xiaotian secretly cursed his bad luck; although he had never crossed hands with Shadow Granny, he had heard from Yan Nujiao that she is one of the four great guardians of the Wuxian Sect, holding high rank—even the sect leader must treat her with respect; if such a figure were to guard High Priest Tongyun, it would mean many more variables for his kidnapping plan, and moreover Yan Nujiao is under close watch, leaving him without an insider; indeed, plans change faster than expectations, and he must quickly devise a countermeasure.

Just as Hu Xiaotian was about to leave, he saw a red‑clad masked woman peek her head out from the courtyard gate, she called out something; Hu Xiaotian could not understand the Red Barbarian language and did not know what she said, but a response came from inside Yan Nujiao's room—there was another person there.

Hu Xiaotian roughly guessed it meant urging the woman inside to hurry; the red‑clad masked woman called out once and then left at once; Hu Xiaotian tiptoed to the door, and indeed saw a red‑clad woman inside tidying her clothes; he slipped in silently, struck her pressure point, supported her before she fell, and saw she too wore a red robe wrapped tightly, only her eyes showing; an audacious scheme sparked in his mind—he swiftly tore off her red robe and donned it himself; though his build was much larger than hers, this posed no problem for Hu Xiaotian. (To be continued~^~)